Mazi Breakout Incoming?

[Beaker42]

He’s the new Randy Gregory.

Any year now he’s gonna be all-pro. You’ll see.

RG’s problem was dumb penalties, even when the refs were wrong.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

Right now, the only breakout he's had is probably poison ivy. He's been a big disappointment for a 330 lb dude

0.5 sacks in college. I mean, there were probably a few times the qb slipped, or fell over, or had to dodge another player and ended up right in Mazi's hands, and yet not even 1 full sack?

How many of the great NFL tackles were not also at least somewhat able to get sacks as well as "anchor the line"? Nearly all of them.

This is the modern NFL, the days of "plug the middle and that's all" DTs is long gone...

 

[MyFairLady]

Actually, on the field, Gregory was better. Gregory's issues were OFF the field.

Hmmm not so sure about that. I know some QBs that were making as many tackles as him per game.

 

[gtb1943]

It's most likely a lot of coach speak... but Mazi is an impressive athlete. He did rank #1 on Bruce Feldman's "College Football Freaks List" prior to the 2022 season and when user input his metrics into RAS he scored a 9.99.

""

there is a considerable difference between being a top athlete and a top player

 

[darthseinfeld]

This^^^^ exactly
BTW....when is the deadline, on whether or not they will pick it up?

Next offseason. Not sure the actual date

 

[darthseinfeld]

Um... Eberflus is blind. Or he is spouting the official company line.

Coming out of college, Mazi was STRONG, but slow as molasses in February, in Maine. In his first year, he was forced to lose weight and thus, strength and "anchor". Last year, he did better, but he is NOT, and never has been, "a real explosive athlete".

He is an explosive athlete. That was never his problem. His problem has been he doesnt know how to play the position

 

[darthseinfeld]

there is a considerable difference between being a top athlete and a top player

This. Athleticism has never been Smiths problem

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

I’m dubious of that actually occurring, but I’m rooting for Mazi because we need him not to be a bust. I did think he showed some improvement last season though.

I’ll never forgive myself for being fooled into thinking his college tape was “good” despite knowing better.

 

[MountaineerCowboy]

RG’s problem was dumb penalties, even when the refs were wrong.

Lack of caring was his problem.

 

[ICP]

I've seen nothing to substantiate this hypothesis

 

[75boyz]

For those that have the All-22 it's hard for me to even understand how he showed signs of "progress" for his job description and where he was drafted.

Just another very, very poor overall year's performance by him.

 

[75boyz]

I've seen nothing to substantiate this hypothesis

Ditto.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Next offseason. Not sure the actual date

I wasn't sure if it was this year or next, but I'm pretty sure the deadline is sometime in May after the draft.

 

[pitt33]

He’s not breaking out.

Would have happened by now.

 

[TheCritic]

The Cowboys have a long history of drafting 2nd/3rd round quality players in the 1st round. Not the player’s fault. If I remember correctly, Mazi was playing decent ball towards the end of the season. But most CZ members, who live in fantasy land when it comes to football, just want to throw away a player just because he was drafted too early. The comments from some of you on this topic is just so over the top ridiculous!!

 

[75boyz]

The Cowboys have a long history of drafting 2nd/3rd round quality players in the 1st round. Not the player’s fault. If I remember correctly, Mazi was playing decent ball towards the end of the season. But most CZ members, who live in fantasy land when it comes to football, just want to throw away a player just because he was drafted too early. The comments from some of you on this topic is just so over the top ridiculous!!

To be more clear:
Mazi Smiths performance as a defensive tackle in the NFL as a 1st rd guy OR 7th rounder OR UDFA sucked in both 2023 and 2024.
Regardless of draft position, he sucked.

That he was mis evaluated as a first rounder only adds to him sucking as a defensive tackle in general.

 

[HungryLion]

He’s also in the best shape of his life.

 

[tunahelper]

As a Michigan fan, I was a fan of Mazi in college but not of his slow development. The same seems to be true for him in the NFL. But looking at next gen stats and AI analysis of the position... a breakout could be coming.

"based on observations and data, many DTs see a significant rise in their role and impact after a few seasons, often around their 3rd or 4th year."

The talent is there. The preparation time has been put in... what what about the coach? Eberflus is a fan: "Yeah, I'm excited about Mazi," Eberflus said, via the team's website. "I liked him coming out. He's a real explosive athlete, with a big body type that can move really well. Excited about bringing his game to the next level, and he could certainly do that."

Mazi appeared to "turn the corner" late last year and with the appropriate amount of "seasoning"... I think he could be posed for a breakout this year.

I certainly hope so. I am rooting for the guy. We need a stout NT and I don't want our scouting department to be gun shy anymore than they are about selecting 1T players.

 

[DuncanIso]

Yeah,no not believing that he is going to be breaking out. They will continue to start him in fear of losing a first round asset not because he has proven anything.

His contract is GTD through 2026.

Only hope is a trade.

POST-6/1 RELEASE​

2025 Dead Cap: $6,180,558
2026 Dead Cap: $1,663,581
2025 Savings: $-2,560,186

POST-6/1 TRADE​

2025 Dead Cap: $1,663,581
2026 Dead Cap: $1,663,581
2025 Savings: $1,956,791

 

[TheCritic]

To be more clear:
Mazi Smiths performance as a defensive tackle in the NFL as a 1st rd guy OR 7th rounder OR UDFA sucked in both 2023 and 2024.
Regardless of draft position, he sucked.

That he was mis evaluated as a first rounder only adds to him sucking as a defensive tackle in general.

That’s hyperbole on your part. Yes he was inconsistent but did have some good moments towards the end of the season. Plus you have to factor in adjusting to Zimmer’s defense. A lot of players on defense struggled with that.